Runners in the Voyageur Quest Race enjoyed a second-day finish on the Pincushion Mountain Trails in Grand Marais. Mark Taminga of Dundas, Ontario led the Voyageur Stage Race by three minutes after the second leg. The trail runners covered 29 miles the first day and 28 miles the second day. Here Taminga celebrates as he finishes at the trail head of the Pincushion Mountain trails located at the scenic overlook about one mile above Grand Marais.
The Superior Hiking Trail received a good workout last week as 15 runners from all over the country gathered in Cook County to experience the hills, thrills and spills of this ruggedly beautiful footpath that runs largely along the ridgeline above Lake Superior.
Adventure Running Company (ARC) planned and staged the race, which began with a one-mile prologue time trial up Mount Josephine in Grand Portage.
“Stage one started at the Otter Lake Road and ended at Magney State Park,” said Andy Holak, who with his wife Kim owns and operates ARC.
The Duluth couple are avid trail runners themselves, each having won numerous titles over distances ranging from 26 to 100 miles. They are also hoping to grow their business. “I still work full time in the Parks and Recreation Department in Duluth,” said Andy. “Hopefully we can build this [company] up and give ourselves more options.”
The runners covered about 29 miles in the first stage. The second day runners completed another 28 miles and ended at Pincushion trailhead. Saturday saw the field head from Pincushion to Lutsen, a distance of about 35 hill-and-dale miles on tired legs.
Bill Barthan finished 28 miles of rugged trail running last Friday in second place of the Voyageur Quest stage race. Barthan placed third overall in the rugged 100-mile race held on the Superior Hiking trail.
The last day runners left Lutsen and finished at the Tofte Town Park, a distance of about 17 miles. That adds up to more than 100 miles, but after all, these runners don’t care. A few more miles is just that much more exciting!
“Nobody got injured and everyone told me they had a lot of fun,” said Holak. “We were lucky. The weather was perfect. We already have runners who are planning to come back next year.”
First overall was Mark Taminga of Dundas, Ontario.
For more information about this race or other races put on by the Holaks, visit www.adventurerunningco. com.
Leave a Reply